Air pollution in Hanoi

Along with the economic development and industrialization and modernization process, in recent years, air pollution is increasing in Hanoi. The problem solving this problem is quite complicated, requiring the determination of the level of pollution, identification of the rules of evolution of pollutants and the arising sources so that they can be properly treated.

Emissions are increasing

The most reliable monitoring results recently at Lang meteorological station (Hanoi) conducted by the Northern Delta Hydrometeorological Center show that, on average, in a cubic meter of air in Hanoi there is : 80 µg (micron gram) of PM10 gas dust, exceeding the prescribed standard of 50 µg / m ³ ; SO ₂ dust also exceeds the European standard of 20 µg / m3; Suspended dust concentration is 2.5 times higher than the permitted standard.

If viewed from the source of emissions due to family activities, the central environment in the old quarter and the old town has the highest density of waste emission compared to other residential areas of the city.

A source of air pollution emissions and emissions is from 14 industrial parks, especially with the amount of dust and SO2. Although there have been remedial measures, the investigation still shows that industrial emissions appear more in new industrial zones: North Thang Long, Nam Thang Long, Sai Dong B, Dong Anh and Soc Son.

Traffic congestion frequently occurs on Hanoi streets (Photo: VietNamNet) Another serious source of pollution is emissions from traffic, of which 200,000 cars and 1.9 million motorcycles have become The main source is nitrous oxide, CmHn gas, SO ₂ and dust.

Mr. Pham Tung Lam, officer of Vietnam-Switzerland Clean Air Program, said that surveys in five typical areas of the city showed some degree of pollution. The area of ​​Dong Xuan market and Kim Lien collective area is polluted by commercial services and living pollution. Thuong Dinh Industrial Park and Phap Van Street are polluted by industrial and transportation gas.

According to Professor Pham Duy Hien, former Director of the Da Lat Nuclear Institute, currently also participating in the Vietnam - Switzerland Clean Air Program (SVCAP), the level of air pollution in Hanoi is also changing. change according to the weather, the winter is higher than the summer, highest in December and January.

In the winter, under the influence of high pressure and swirling air, the air is confined, often 'heat-inversive', pollutants are difficult to spread high and far away. In the summer, the ground is heated, the air and pollutants are capable of spreading up and being washed away by rain. When the pollutants emitted accumulate within 150m to 200m close to the ground, their content increases.

This phenomenon usually occurs at the end of traffic and the cookers start to operate, causing pollution to increase. In addition to dust and dirt caused by cars and motorbikes, the roads are full of sandy soil and exhaust fumes due to traffic congestion in roads with high traffic density.

Every year from the end of September to the beginning of January, Hanoi has about 40 days of ' heat-ups ' at night making most of the air pollutants increase and last for many days continuously harming the community to health, especially the elderly.

High risk of diseases due to air pollution

Dr. Pham Le Tuan, Deputy Director of Hanoi Department of Health said that the research results show that the health trend of people is increasingly affected by environmental factors. People who have lived in the city for more than ten years have a higher incidence of chronic diseases of the ears, nose, and throat than those who live less than three years.

In some areas, the survey results show that the proportion of infected households accounted for 72.6% and 43% of people with chronic diseases of ears, nose and throat, allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, flu, pneumonia , bronchitis, skin diseases and eye diseases.

Many construction works with very slow progress in Hanoi (Photo: Nea)

Hoang Mai District has the highest incidence of nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, and the lowest is Hoan Kiem district. Meanwhile, Dong Da district has the highest rate of skin and eye diseases, followed by Hoang Mai, Thanh Xuan, Hoan Kiem and Tay Ho districts.

According to studies on the situation of Hanoi's urban diseases related to air pollution, people have little information about the harmful effects of environmental change. This may be due to ineffective communication education at the workplace and in the community.

Direction to improve air quality

According to Mr. Dang Duong Binh, Head of Hanoi's Department of Natural Resources, Meteorology and Hydrology, Department of Natural Resources, Environment and Housing, it is necessary to find out solutions to manage and improve air quality. is to renovate and develop the urban transport infrastructure of the city. In which, priority is given to the development of public transport, increasing the proportion of public transport from 6% to 30% with various types: high-speed buses and trains, and finding ways to increase the attractiveness and convenience such as using a ticket, build a reasonable route.

The next concern is education to raise awareness for the community involved in traffic; educate 'environmentally friendly' drivers, manage and use reasonable personal vehicles, use appropriate fuel fuels in daily life to reduce emissions.

Hanoi is aiming to allocate an industrial development plan according to environmental planning, not to invest in expanding old industrial zones in residential areas but to invest in depth and upgrade technical infrastructure, each steps to move production facilities in the city into industrial zones.

For new industrial zones, to invest in building clean industries with little or no waste, strictly enforcing the provisions of the Law on Environmental Protection; encourage the application of technology to treat environmental pollution; strengthen the role and responsibility of enterprises with environmental protection.

The city should have investment direction to renovate flower gardens, greenery areas and urban transport systems, especially intersections, and construction of Hanoi ring road. At the same time improve the quality of transport vehicles by controlling and tightening emission standards for vehicles and motorbikes; make a roadmap for implementation approved by the community. However, the service of improving emissions by technology solutions of the city is still limited in improving equipment and fuel quality because of low economic conditions, fuel still has to be imported.

At a recent scientific workshop of the Vietnam-Switzerland Clean Air Program (SVCAP) to support pollution reduction by identifying and implementing an overall air quality management system in Hanoi, Scientists also make medical recommendations, mentioning the application of a health monitoring model along with environmental monitoring.

Accordingly, the city government should actively develop plans and specific action programs to minimize the negative impact of air pollution on people's health, take preventive measures and prevent specific treatment. effectiveness of related diseases; enhance education and propaganda about the harmful effects of air pollution on health. For the community, there should be commitment and build up into important criteria for environmental protection to evaluate and recognize the 'Health Cultural Village' or 'Cultural and Health Town'.

Air quality management is a continuous, long-term, community-related program that must apply many integrated solutions to communication, policy mechanisms, technology and planning improvements. This issue requires mobilizing the entire community to participate and must be considered harmoniously, linked to the socio-economic development process.

VU THU THUY